White Paper About Safety Compliance for Solenoid Valves

Solenoid valves for industrial process control applications
Image courtesy Asco Valve

Regulatory modifications have raised important issues in design and use of industrial safety systems. Certain changes in IEC 61508, now being widely implemented, mean that designers and users who desire full compliance must give new consideration to topics such as SIL levels and the transition to new methodologies.

In particular, these issues can impact the selection of solenoid valves and prepackaged redundant control systems (RCS) for implementation in a safety instrumented system (SIS). Such selections may also be affected by how experienced valve suppliers are at dealing with complex new compliance methodologies.

These issues are especially applicable to the oil, gas, chemical, and power industries - in applications such as safety shutdown systems, boilers, furnaces, high-integrity protection systems (HIPS), and more. These issues are of concern to safety engineers and reliability engineers, as well as to process engineers, engineering executives, and plant managers.

This report, a white paper made available by ASCO Valve, will address these issues in developing a compliant safety instrumented system using valves and redundant control systems. Making the right choices in safety system planning and in valve supplier selection can affect design time, costs, and effort — as well as the safety of the plant itself.

Asco Safety Systems Solenoid Valve Selection Guide from Miller Energy, Inc.

Top End Guided Wave Radar Level Transmitter

Magnetrol's model 706 embodies the best of guided
wave radar level measurement.
Image courtesy of Magnetrol

The Eclipse Model 706 is Magnetrol's loop powered high performance guided wave radar level transmitter. It incorporates many of the company's latest innovations into a single instrument capable of meeting the demanding requirements of an array of industrial applications.

Product improvements include increased signal to noise ratio, suitability for use with low dielectric media, and the ability to deliver accurate indication under foaming, flashing, or other challenging conditions. An extended probe offering enables use in measuring interface, liquified gas, even bulk solids.

The instrument is suitable for overfill applications, and does not use algorithms to infer measurements in a dead zone that may occur near the top of the probe in some other designs. The Eclipse 706 delivers true measurement right up to the process flange. Upgraded electronics allow the unit to be pre-configured prior to shipment, if requested. Additionally, the widest range of communications options is available.

For more information, share your level measurement challenges with a process measurement specialist. Leverage your own process knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions.

Eclipse Model 706 High Performance Guided Wave Radar Level Transmitter from Miller Energy, Inc.

Miller Energy Expands Capabilities With New Valve Line

The sliding gate control valve is part of the Schubert & Salzer
product line. Image courtesy Schubert & Salzer.

Miller Energy is pleased to now represent, in the company's Pennsylvania office, Schubert & Salzer, a recognized innovator and manufacturer of high precision process flow control valves.

Schubert & Salzer specializes in precise control and stop valves for industrial fluid processing operations.

• Sliding gate valves
• Ball Sector Valves
• Segment disc valves and segment disc orifices
• Seat valves
• Three-way valves
• Sanitary valves
• Pinch Valves
• Manual valves
• Positioners & controllers
• Accessories to complement all products

With the expansion of its already wide range of common and specialized valve technologies, Miller Energy further solidifies its position as the go-to source for solutions to fluid process control challenges. Contact the Pennsylvania office for detailed product information. Share your challenges and leverage your process knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions.

Schubert & Salzer Product Overview from Miller Energy, Inc.

Tips For Best Control of Low Flow Rates

Low flow measurement and control instrument uses
Coriolis flow measurement sensor.
Image courtesy Brooks Instrument

Coriolis mass flow measurement is the method of choice for applications requiring best accuracy under very low flow conditions. The Quantim Series of mass flow controllers from Brooks Instrument provide indication of fluid flow, density and temperature for applications down to 0.001 Kg/hr. The instrument, in addition to a Coriolis flow sensor, provides digital signal processing, an integral or close coupled control valve, and PID control to deliver a total flow control solution in an integrated package.

Obtaining best available performance on a consistent basis is supported by a well done installation.

• Mount the instrument to a stable surface free from excessive mechanical shock and vibration that might impact performance.
• Locate the device where it can be easily accessed or removed.
• Install an appropriate filter on the fluid inlet side.
• Provide a positive shutoff valve on the downstream side to enable zeroing after installation.
• Make sure the process flow direction matches the required flow direction of the instrument.

The sensor and control valve are designed to function properly when filled with process fluid. This means your installation cannot deliver entrapped gas in a liquid or liquid droplets in a gas. If compressed gas is used to force dosing fluids through a system, it may be necessary to provide a degassing arrangement upstream of the flow controller. Dissolved gas that flashes due to a pressure drop through the instrument can form bubbles that distort sensor and valve performance. 

Little to no maintenance is required after the instrument is installed and zeroed. The inlet filter should be changed at intervals sufficient to assure delivery of clean process fluid to the instrument.

More technical detail on the Quantim Coriolis flow measurement and control instruments is provided in the document below. Whatever your flow measurement or control application, share your challenge with measurement and control specialists, combining your own knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to leverage an effective solution.

Mass Flow Controller - Quantim Series from Miller Energy, Inc.

Voltage Ranging Solenoid Valve Coils are a Game Changer

Voltage ranging coils simplify the application of solenoid valves
Image courtesy Emerson - ASCO

New power management technology is rewriting industry standards for reliability and power consumption of solenoid valve coils. The new technology solenoid valves accept both AC and DC voltage while improving performance. Available in 2-way, 3-way and 4-way, these solenoid valves are designed to handle a wide range of fluid control applications.

The enhanced valves are designed to be drop in replacements for existing valves. There is no change to functional attributes such as flow, pressure, ambient & fluid temperatures or physical attributes such as envelope size and face-to-face dimensions. If you're looking to just switch out a coil, enhanced coil kits are direct replacements for the old coil kits.

Here are the benefits to end customers:

Lower Power Consumption

• 1.0 watt (DC version) & 1.5 watts (AC/DC versions)
• Lowers energy cost up to 80% compared to standard solenoid valves 

RoHS 2 Compliant

• Satisfies CE Directives 2002/95/EC and 2001/65/EU (RoHS 2) for the restriction of hazardous substances 

Supervisory Current Compatible

• Suitable for systems employing supervisory currents not exceeding the following drop-out currents: 20mA (12-24V DC), 15mA (24-120V AC/DC) and 7mA (100-240V AC/DC) 
• Also suitable with devices having leakage currents not exceeding the drop-out currents noted above. 

Broad Voltage Ranges Reduce Inventory

• Available in 24-120V AC/DC, 100-240V AC/DC & 12-24V DC 
• Covers hundreds of global voltage requirements
• Simplifies product selection and reduces complexity
• Lowers inventory cost by eliminating need to stock both AC & DC products
• Includes 125VDC battery (AC/DC versions) & 24VDC battery (DC version) 

DC Performance Increased Up to 500% To Match AC Ratings

• Transition from AC to DC without sacrificing performance
• Eliminates the need for separate AC & DC output cards
• Simplifies control schemes

Integrated Surge Suppression

• Prolongs the life of the coil by suppressing external voltage spikes
• Lowers system cost by eliminating the need for additional surge protection

Fit For Use In Rugged and Demanding Environments

• Wide ambient temperature range for hot and cold environments
• Enclosure Types 1 through 4X for indoor and outdoor applications 
• Optional Class 1, Division 2 coils available for hazardous locations

No AC Hum

• Ideal for applications requiring quiet operation

More information and application assistance is available from product specialists. Leverage your own knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions.

Process and Equipment Monitoring

The RACO remote alarm product line provides solutions
for a wide array of applications.
Image courtesy RACO  Manufacturing and Engineering Co.

Process operations are comprised of a continuous stream of events. Operational information that is actionable comes from effective monitoring of process events and conditions.

RACO Manufacturing and Engineering has been perfecting process monitoring and alarm equipment and systems for many years. Their various product series are tailored to accommodate a wide variety of industrial applications with a variety of input, output, and communication options.

Share your process alarm and monitoring challenges with product application specialists, leveraging your own process knowledge and experience with their product application expertise.

RACO Verbation Alarm Monitoring System Schematic from Miller Energy, Inc.

Magnetic Level Indicators

Configurations of magnetic level gauges
Image courtesy Orion/Magnetrol

Fluid process control operations often involve vessel or tank storage of liquids. Continuous and accurate indication of the liquid level within the tank is an essential data point for process control decision making and safety. Several methods and instrument types are available for tank level measurement, each with its own set of attributes that may be advantageous for a particular installation. Selection criteria for a tank liquid level indicator may include:

• Direct or indirect measurement of level
• Level measurement accuracy and reliability
• Tank shape, regular or irregular
• Media compatibility with measurement device
• Requirements for maintenance or calibration
• Compatibility with process temperature and pressure range
• Local display and visibility
• Level indication signal type and transmission
• Level alarm switches or other indicators

The selection of a magnetic level indicator, also referred to as a magnetic level gauge, for the project will likely be based upon at least one of the instrument's strengths. Magnetic level gauges have a host of potentially positive features for level indication.

• Continuous level measurement
• Operable without electric power
• Direct visual tank fluid level indication, regardless of tank shape or profile.
• Wide range of operating temperature and pressure
• Breakage resistant construction
• Range of construction materials available to accommodate corrosive media
• Measuring indicators, switches, and transmitters mounted externally, without contacting the medium being measured.
• Low maintenance operation.
• Readable level indication from greater distance than glass sight gauges.
• Applicable to large fluid level ranges with a single instrument.

Magnetic level indicators have a strong position in the tank liquid level measurement field and should be considered as a candidate for fulfilling those application requirements. There are many options available to customize the level indicator for each specific application. I have included a technical data sheet from Orion Instruments, a manufacturer of level instrumentation, for more detail. Share your application challenges with a sales engineer that specializes in level measurement. Combining your process knowledge with their product application expertise will yield positive solutions.

Magnetrol Orion Magnetic Liquid Level Indicators from Miller Energy, Inc.